[EU officials respond to Mertz: Funding arrangements for aid to Ukraine will be discussed this month] On November 11, European Council President Costa said in a letter to German Chancellor Mertz on the 10th that EU leaders will discuss funding arrangements for aid to Ukraine in 2027 at a special summit of the European Council later this month. Mertz recently sent a letter to Costa linking the EU's new seven-year budget to financial assistance to Ukraine, implying that EU member states' joint assistance to Ukraine "without exception" is a "necessary prerequisite" for the adoption of the new budget. Germany is the largest contributor to the EU budget and one of the largest donors to Ukraine. On the 10th, sources quoted Costa's letter in reply to Mertz as saying that the European Council will hold a special summit from November 26 to 27, and the agenda will include the EU's next multi-annual financial framework and Ukraine's funding needs in 2027. Costa also said that before the summit, the European Commission will submit a plan on related issues. The European Commission has previously estimated that Ukraine's funding gap in 2027 will be approximately 70 billion euros, of which approximately 45 billion euros will be borne by the EU. (CCTV News)